Build vs. buy might not be the oldest dilemma in the streaming technology book, but it’s close. And when it comes to complex live streaming, the horns of that dilemma are particularly pointed.
The streaming technology market is typified by off-the-shelf, line-of-business applications that do a few things very well, but are extremely difficult or impossible to extend if they don’t do exactly what you want. That lack of customization can be a dealbreaker.
On the other hand, for a broadcaster (or large enterprise, or betting company, or …) to build its own streaming platform from scratch requires a daunting investment of time and resources—resources that would be much better spent on their core business proposition.
So let’s dig a little deeper into both buying and building, as well as look at a middle path that offers media companies the best of both worlds.
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The landscape of sports streaming is evolving rapidly. Recent studies show that a staggering 71% of US sports enthusiasts now opt for live viewing, underscoring a significant opportunity for the media industry and rights holders alike. As viewers expand their preferences across platforms like OTT, digital channels, and FAST, the media industry must move forward to cloud-driven production and distribution processes to serve the burgeoning demand for real-time sports content.
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Adopting real-time streaming experiences such as live events, interactive video, cloud gaming, video communications, and virtual worlds is soaring. Meeting this demand with CPU-based codecs can often be expensive and inefficient, unnecessarily boosting CAPEX, OPEX, and carbon emissions generated by CPU-based encoding. In a breakthrough for the video processing sector, Tony speaks to us about how organizations can tap into GPU-based solutions that substantially trim down operating costs, capital expenditure, and energy usage.
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In the realm of media, delivering subtitles consistently across various platforms has posed challenges. Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) identified the pressing need for an innovative subtitle format. This format should seamlessly suit both conventional TV broadcasts and contemporary streaming services. Historical subtitles have been fragmented, existing in diverse proprietary and generalized formats. However, none of these formats proved universally fitting for all content types and languages.
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In the ever-evolving landscape of media consumption, Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming services have emerged as the new frontier, captivating audiences with a diverse array of content. As the demand for high-quality streaming experiences intensifies, businesses face the crucial decision of either adopting an all-inclusive solution from a single vendor or embracing the intricacies of integrating multiple third-party vendors. While the allure of a “one-stop-shop” solution may seem appealing, a comprehensive evaluation reveals that a multi-vendor approach for developing end-to-end OTT streaming services offers distinct advantages that pave the way for innovation, flexibility, and enhanced user experiences.
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We believe there’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity for telco and pay TV providers to diversify their retail offer, by moving beyond quad-play to ‘omni-play’ and beyond super-aggregation of video content, to the aggregation of our increasingly smart lives.
By ‘aggregating more’ operators will be able to increase customer loyalty and raise ARPU, from services as diverse as multiplayer live gaming and home security, to smart domestic energy management.
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Media is now a global business. Audiences anywhere are clamoring for content from everywhere.
The K-Pop phenomenon means that a concert taking place in Seoul can attract a huge audience in Seattle and Sienna. In recent weeks sports fans globally have been gripped by world championships: cycling in Scotland; netball in South Africa and football in Australia and New Zealand.
Media connectivity is more than just television coverage of sports or concert relays to theaters.
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As we approach the end of the summer, marked as the warmest ever recorded, it’s clear that focusing on the environment and sustainability is crucial for all organizations and businesses. The TV and media industry has a dual responsibility. On one hand, it’s crucial to provide the public with accurate information about the situation, and on the other hand, it’s equally important to address the sustainability impact of producing and distributing TV and video content.
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Technology is set to play a crucial role in the fight against climate change by helping us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and promote sustainable practices. Is there potential for AI to also play a part in this? Google DeepMind certainly thinks so and is using the latest AI developments to help fight climate change and build a more sustainable, low-carbon world. But although AI has received a lot of attention since the launch of the large language model, ChatGPT, last year, AI and machine learning (ML) are not new concepts. Content creators, technology vendors, and service providers in the video industry have been using ML for some time. The difference now is that generative AI models have become more advanced, and are now being used by a wider audience. If organizations like Google DeepMind aim to use generative AI to fight climate change, can the video industry also use generative AI to optimize systems, create more sustainable consumption habits, and reduce the industry’s carbon impact?
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The media industry is experiencing a paradigm shift. In the digital-first era, competitive advantage is driven by digital strategies. Media companies increasingly leverage IP technology to define new business models and tap into more audiences across over-the-top (OTT), digital, and free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) platforms.
In a competitive and fragmented media landscape, media and tech players are aggressively targeting the streaming market to get a piece of the pie. High-value content still differentiates the winners from losers, but that’s not enough. Media organizations need to ensure that their business is future-proofed and that they can make the most value out of their high-profile content to boost their bottom line today and in the future.
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